Louisiana – As the Atlantic hurricane season heats up, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) is closely monitoring three systems that could potentially impact land in the coming days.

Tropical Storm Beryl, currently located over the central tropical Atlantic Ocean, is the first system to be named this season. The NHC is issuing advisories on the storm, which is expected to continue its westward trajectory across the Atlantic.

Note: At the time this article was written on June 29, 2024, the storm posed no immediate threat to Southwest Louisiana.

Meanwhile, a broad area of low pressure is forecast to form over the Bay of Campeche in the northwestern Caribbean/Southwestern Gulf of Mexico tonight or early Sunday. Conditions appear conducive for further development, and a tropical depression could form before the system moves inland again early next week over Mexico. Interests along the Gulf coast of Mexico should monitor the progress of this system, as it is expected to bring heavy rainfall to portions of Central America and Mexico through early next week.

The NHC has given this system a medium chance of formation, with a 50% chance of development within the next 48 hours and a 50% chance of development within the next 7 days.

Another area of low pressure, located several hundred miles southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands in the eastern Tropical Atlantic, is also showing signs of development. Environmental conditions appear conducive for additional development of this system, and a tropical depression could form by the middle of next week while it moves generally westward at 15 to 20 mph across the eastern and central tropical Atlantic.

The NHC has given this system a low chance of formation, with a 30% chance of development within the next 48 hours and a high chance of 70% within the next 7 days.

As the tropical Atlantic continues to heat up, residents in the affected areas should remain vigilant and stay informed about the latest developments. The NHC will continue to issue updates on these systems as more information becomes available.

In related terms, a “tropical depression” is a rotating system of clouds and thunderstorms that has sustained winds of 38 mph or less. A “tropical storm” is a rotating system of clouds and thunderstorms that has sustained winds of 39-73 mph.